Rotating intrusion-detection module for a computing storage device

Abstract

A computing system includes a drawer configured to receive a plurality of computing storage devices. The drawer is movable between an open position and a plurality of closed positions. A printed circuit board (PCB) is mounted within the drawer in electronic communication with the plurality of computing devices. An intrusion-detection switch is attached to the PCB and is configured to detect movement of the drawer between the open position and the closed positions. A rotating module is attached to the movable drawer for extending an operating range of the intrusion-detection switch. The rotating module is in initial contact with the intrusion-detection switch when the drawer is in the initial closed position. The rotating module has a rotating unit that rotates in response to the drawer moving from an initial closed position to a maximum closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computing system comprising:
 a drawer configured to receive a plurality of computing storage devices, the drawer being movable between an open position and a plurality of closed positions, the plurality of closed positions including an initial closed position and a maximum closed position;   a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the drawer, the PCB being in electronic communication with the plurality of computing storage devices;   an intrusion-detection switch attached to the PCB, the intrusion-detection switch being configured to detect movement of the drawer between the open position and the plurality of closed positions, the movement being caused by a user force during a maintenance or other operations; and   a rotating module attached to the drawer for extending an operating range of the intrusion-detection switch, the rotating module being in initial contact with the intrusion-detection switch when the drawer is in the initial closed position, the rotating module having a rotating unit that rotates in response to the drawer moving from the initial closed position to the maximum closed position.   
     
     
         2 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating unit is in contact with intrusion-detection switch as the drawer moves between the initial closed position and the maximum closed position. 
     
     
         3 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the drawer travels linearly a predetermined tolerance distance between the initial closed position and the maximum closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The computing system of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined tolerance distance corresponds to a rotatable distance of the rotating unit. 
     
     
         5 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the drawer is movable in response to a user force during a maintenance operation. 
     
     
         6 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of computing storage devices is a server component. 
     
     
         7 . The computing system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating module includes a spring that exerts a force on the rotating unit. 
     
     
         8 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the force of the spring is opposite in direction relative to movement of the drawer toward the plurality of closed positions. 
     
     
         9 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the spring is a torsion spring. 
     
     
         10 . The computing system of  claim 7 , wherein the rotating module includes a base that is fixedly attached to the movable drawer, the spring having a first end mounted on the base and a second end mounted on the rotating unit. 
     
     
         11 . The computing system of  claim 10 , further comprising a chassis for receiving the drawer, the rotating module further including a position pin mounted in part within the base, the position pin preventing rotational movement of the base relative to the chassis. 
     
     
         12 . The computing system of  claim 10 , wherein the rotating module includes a fastener rotatably attaching the rotating unit with the base. 
     
     
         13 . The computing system of  claim 10 , wherein the rotating unit includes a standoff component that separates the rotating unit from the base. 
     
     
         14 . The computing system of  claim 13 , wherein the standoff component is axially aligned with the spring. 
     
     
         15 . A computing system comprising:
 a drawer movable between an open position and a closed position;   an intrusion-detection switch configured to detect movement of the drawer between the open position and the closed position, the movement being caused by a user force during a maintenance or other operations; and   a rotating module mounted within the drawer and including
 a base fixed to the drawer, 
 a spring having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the base; and 
 a rotating unit rotatably attached to the base, the second end of the spring being attached to the rotating unit to exert a force between the base and the rotating unit, the rotating unit being in contact with the intrusion-detection switch when the drawer is in the closed position, the rotating unit rotating in response to movement of the drawer in the closed position along a predetermined tolerance distance. 
   
     
     
         16 . The computing system of  claim 15 , wherein the rotating unit is attached to the base via a fastener, the fastener being coaxial with the spring. 
     
     
         17 . The computing system of  claim 15 , further comprising a chassis for receiving the drawer, the rotating module further including a position pin mounted in part within the base, the position pin preventing rotational movement of the base relative to the chassis. 
     
     
         18 . A method for detecting intrusion in a computing system, the method comprising:
 providing a drawer for receiving a plurality of computing storage devices;   configuring the drawer for movement between an open position and a closed position, the movement being caused by a user force during a maintenance or other operations;   detecting movement of the drawer via physical contact between an intrusion-detection switch and a rotating module, the physical contact occurring in an initial contact position and continuing through a maximum contact position; and   in response to the physical contact, rotating a rotating unit of the rotating module along a predetermined tolerance distance of the drawer in the closed position, the predetermined tolerance distance being a maximum operating range of the drawer that is defined by the initial contact position and the maximum contact position.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising moving the drawer in response to a user force during a maintenance operation. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising exerting a spring force on the rotating unit, the spring force being opposite in direction to movement of the drawer towards the closed position. 
     
     
         21 . A computing system comprising:
 a drawer configured to receive a plurality of computing storage devices, the drawer being movable between an open position and a closed position;   a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted within the drawer;   an intrusion-detection switch attached to the PCB, the intrusion-detection switch being configured to detect movement of the drawer between the open position and the closed position, the movement being caused by a user force; and   a rotating module attached to the movable drawer for extending an operating range of the intrusion-detection switch, the rotating module being in initial contact with the intrusion-detection switch when the drawer is in the closed position, the rotating module having a rotating unit that rotates in response to the drawer moving from the closed position.   
     
     
         22 . A computing system comprising:
 a drawer movable between an open position and a closed position;   an intrusion-detection switch configured to detect movement of the drawer between the open position and the closed position, the movement being caused by a user force; and   a rotating module mounted within the drawer and including
 a base fixed to the drawer, 
 a spring having a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the base; and 
 a rotating unit rotatably attached to the base, the second end of the spring being attached to the rotating unit to exert a force between the base and the rotating unit, the rotating unit being in contact with the intrusion-detection switch when the drawer is in the closed position.